She complained getting out of the car. And for the entire walk up the hill. She kept complaining even when they’d arrived at the massive rusted structure.

Jay pulled a black and white photo from his pocket and she finally fell silent. In the picture the clock sculpture was shiny and new. And grinning proudly by its side was a tall man with dark hair, who was unmistakably Jay’s father.

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

Jay peered into the dumpster. Looking up at him was not a raccoon’s face but a doll’s. It brought back a flood of long lost memories.

A bag hidden deep behind his father’s coats. Inside, a knife, a compass, a crumpled photo of a woman on a station, a doll in traditional Latvian dress and five army badges with strange symbols on them.

He gasped as his adult mind remembered the symbols.

There was a crash of cans and Eloise shrieked. ‘It tried to bite me!’

Swastikas.

*********

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

His eyes lit up. ‘Check out that river! Reminds me of where Dad used to take me when I was little. Such good memories…’

He turned to her. ‘What was your childhood like?’

They’d known each other just over twenty-four hours. Should she describe how she’d sit in her room on a chair with her eyes tightly closed and hands over ears praying for her parents to stop fighting, or the cold nights curled in the backseat with her mum and sisters while on the run?

‘It was pretty good,’ she said. ‘But tell me more about those river holidays.’

*********

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

Image by Roger Beltot at https://plus.google.com/u/0/107716760208067370787

‘There’s nothing good about the cold. Nothing!’

Eloise scowled at the snow outside.

Jay picked up his jacket. ‘Well, I’m getting dinner.’

‘I’m a beach girl. Hot sand. Hot sun. Sunburn. Soothing Aloe Vera…’

He shrugged. ‘Stay here if you like.’

‘Is that a threat?’

‘I honestly don’t care.’

The chill outside hit them hard as they staggered across the icy road. Large snowflakes fell around them and Jay noticed how some settled softly in Eloise’s hair. Without thinking, he put his arm around her shoulders and held her close. She pushed her face into his warm chest and smiled.

*********

I have exciting news to share that some of you lovely fellow FFs have been asking about. I received a Highly Commended in the Newcastle Herald Short Story competition for my story Bloodstained. Four stories were chosen out of over a hundred entries, so I’m pretty thrilled to be selected. The prize is 10 new books, a weekend pass to the Newcastle Writers Festival (hurrah!) and a Herald subscription. A dear friend from my writers group Diana Threlfo also made it to the Highly Commended list – check out her beautiful short story Unconstrained.

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

I recently finished Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as part of my 100 book reading challenge. See what I thought of it by clicking here.

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.

Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.